_March._ I saw him off the point about an hour ago: it’s about time he was in.
_Kate._ Come up to my room when you have finished your luncheon. I’ve something to show you. (_Exit, R._)
_Mrs. Gale._ Now, March, be careful of that musical voice of yours while I’m gone: don’t strain it. (_Exit, R._)
_Kitty._ March Gale! you ain’t a bit perlite: why don’t you give me a seat?
_March._ Well, I’ll give you a seat, now the flat-iron’s out of the way (_lifts her to table, where she sits swinging her feet and eating bread and butter_).
_Kitty._ And she’s so rich, and dresses so fine. I suppose she lives in a big house with a buffalo on top, and a pizzaro, and a miranda, and all that.
_March._ Yes, indeed, she’s very rich; but then you just wait till my mysterious parent turns up. I know he’s a rich man: you never heard of a shipwrecked baby but what had a rich father,--never. Sometimes I think he’s a rich English lord, or a French marquis, or a Turkish bashaw. I do hope he’s a Turk: I am very fond of Turkey.
_March._ Oh, pshaw! what’s the use poking fun!
_Kitty._ Do you know what I would do if I was rich?
_Kitty._ I’d have some molasses on my bread.
_March._ You won’t have to wait for that (_runs off, L._).
_Kitty._ Now, ain’t he obliging. I do like to be waited upon: and there’s plenty to wait upon me; for, between March and Bige Parker, I’m very comfortably settled. (_March runs in, L._)
_March._ Here you are Kitty (_pours molasses on her bread_).
_March._ Yes, Kitty, I’ve been thinking that it’s about time I should make an effort to find my father.
_Kitty._ But what can you do? there is nothing by which you can be identified.
_March._ No, but instinct will guide me. I know, if I once set eyes on the man who is truly my father, there will be a come-all-overishness that will cause me to rush into his arms, crying, “Father, behold your son!” In the mean time I must wait.
_Kitty._ While you are waiting, suppose you take me down from this table.
_March._ All right (_lifts her from table_), down you come. I say, Kitty, what did Bige Parker say to you?
_Kitty._ Let me see,--what did he say? He said that the sand seemed like shining gold when I walked upon it.
_March._ I’d like to stuff his throat with it: perhaps it would change the color.